Author Interview&Spotlight&Giveaway: Mia Hoddell

Hey Hey Hey! With me today in the SpOtLiGhT

is author Mia Hoddel talking about her book Deadly to Love (really cool title, btw). So here's some info on the book and, as always, some links to check out:

Title: Deadly to Love (Elemental Killers #1)
Author: Mia Hoddell
ASIN: B00BDQ3QGA
ISBN: 9781291319170
Genre: YA/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/Romance

Deadly to Love description:

There is a love that is so dangerous, so powerful, so intoxicating that it embraces your heart and smothers your mind until it leaves you defenceless.

Serena knew that but still, it didn't stop her. His name was Kai. He was the most beautiful, irresistible man she had ever encountered. Their attraction was too compelling to fight and she knew she would go to the end of the world beside him. That is love.

However behind the allure was hidden a deadly secret – a secret that threatened her fragile life... But secrets best left unsaid never remain hidden forever. When Kai reveals his true identity, she is exposed to a frightening world she had no idea existed. Controlled by powerful Elemental forces her life is placed in mortal danger.

Unbeknown to them, their lives have been entwined from the beginning and it leads her to discover an even greater secret about who she really is. As the pieces begin to unravel and death becomes a reality, Serena is forced to decide what is more important...her love or life.

Buy Links:  
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Paperback (Lulu) and will be available on Amazon soon

About the author:

Mia Hoddell lives in the UK with her family and two cats. She spends most of her time writing or reading and her preferred genre is Young Adult, Paranormal Romance. Before 2009, Mia wouldn't even pick up a book and was more interested in sports. However she finally found some novels that captured her interest and developed a love of both reading and writing. Mia began with poems and after getting two published in separate anthologies she moved onto short stories. Although she enjoyed this, Mia found she had too much to tell with too little space, so later on she created her first series The Wanderer Trilogy, with the first two books; The Sheol and The Flawlessout now. From there other ideas have emerged which she hopes to turn into novels as well. The Elementals is her second series with Deadly to Love being the first book and the sequel being released soon.

Author Links

Blog: http://miahoddell.blogspot.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mia-Hoddell-Author/421368247889610?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiaHoddell
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/miahoddell

And now onto the author interview:

1: If you had the power to keep earth at one season for a year which season would it be?
It would definitely be summer; living in England means it rains nearly 24/7 so I would love to have hot weather for a year! It makes me feel happier and I actually get work done, plus everything looks nicer.

2: If you were a Superhero what would your name be?
Hmm… I’m not sure, I would love one power to be invisibility though so I guess I wouldn’t need a name if people couldn’t see me as they wouldn’t know I was around.

4: If you could make one day last a week what would you do during that 'one day'?
Reading on a beach abroad with ice-cream, smoothies and maybe doing a bit of writing too.

5: If you could be any ruler from the past who would you be?
I love Egyptology so I would choose to be a pharaoh, I’m not picky as to which one though.

6: If you be any villain or rebel from a book who would you be?
I’ve read too many books to decide so I will go with the Fire Elemental in Deadly to Love or maybe one of the rebels I have planned for the sequel…but who it is, is a secret.

7: If you could have any job in the world what would it be?
Author – writing is what I love.

8: If you started a band what would you call it?
I don’t think I could ever start a band, I am terrible at music. I can still vaguely play the piano but even after 3years of lesson I was never very good. I think I’ll stick with writing and leave the music to my brother.

9: If you were a character in a book would you be the villain, the kick-butt hero, or the man/damsel-in-distress?
Hmm…that’s a hard one, the damsel in distress usually gets the hot guy in the end but the villains normally have more fun and get all of the cool powers/skills etc. so I am going to have to go with the villain.

10: What's your favourite food?
It changes regularly depending on my mood or the season but at the moment it is Chinese food.

11: What was your inspiration for writing Deadly to Love?
Deadly to Love was originally going to just be a romance with no paranormal aspects, however when I tried planning it I kept writing myself into a corner around chapter 3. At this point I started researching mythological creature and Elementals caught my eye as I thought I could do a lot with them. I found out they were governed by the arch angels but I didn’t like this side of things as I didn’t want to include heavenly powers.  Instead I tried to differ to separate them from what was originally out there so my writing is hopefully original.  After I found the supernatural creatures my imagination kind of went wild and I invented a new Island on Earth, the characters and the plot. It all fell in place rather easily once I had the paranormal aspects as I was given more freedom with what I could do, rather than keeping it governed by Earth rules.

12: What character was hardest for you to write about?
For this book I didn’t really have one. It flowed so naturally and easily. This was probably due to the fact I had written a four page character profile on everyone in the book so I knew exactly what their personalities were, their back story, what they wore etc. By the time I came to write the book I knew them inside out so I could write without any struggle, hopefully creating believable and relatable characters.

13: What character was easiest for you to write about?
The easiest was Serena as she shared a lot of similar traits in personality with me so I was able to use some personal experiences to help develop her character.

14: Are you working on any other works of art? If so, can you tell us about them?
At the moment I am working on the sequel to Deadly to Love and have planned the next 2 books after that in the series. I am also working on the final instalment in The Wanderer Trilogy but that may take a little longer as I am fitting it around my exams. Besides those books I have another five books planned as a part of two new series and more ideas in my head waiting to be written.

15: Do you have any favourite sayings?
Hmm… I know it’s slightly cheesy but it would probably be “Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll end up amongst the stars” as I try and go for and experience as many thing possible.

Thank you, Ms. Hoddell, for that very awesome interview! And now the moment you all have been waiting for (well, all you that live in the UK).....There's a giveaway! However, it is only open to people who live the UK, so if you live in the UK, here's your chance to win:

• 1 ebook copy of Deadly to Love  through amazon kindle (INT)
• Deadly to Love Swag (UK ONLY)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Everneath by Brodi Ashton Review

EVERNEATH by BRODI ASHTON

Movie Rating: PG-13 for language, sequences of peril, and suggestive content
Book Rating: @@@@
Swearing: couple uses of H**l and D**n and one use of s**t
Inappropriate Scenes: None
# of Pages: 370 (hardcover)
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: Balzer+Bray
LLFTB: Be thankful for what you have because you never know when it's going to be taken away.

Back Blurb:

SIX MONTHS AGO

Nikki Beckett vanished into an underworld known as the Everneath.

Now she's returned--to her old life, her family, her boyfriend--for another SIX MONTHS before she leaves again.

This time forever.

She has SIX MONTHS before Everneath

comes to claim her.

SIX MONTHS for good-byes she can't find the words for.

SIX MONTHS to find redemption,

IF IT EXISTS.

My Review:

I'm not one into paranormal if you haven't noticed. But I decided to be daring a pick up this book focused on the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone. I'm glad I did.
First off what I liked about this book was the title: E-ver-neath. It just sounds mystical and mysterious, you know? :P I guess I'm weird that way. Oh well.
Second, this was one of the bestest love triangles I have read! Seriously, I'm still not sure which I prefer. Jack was her previous boyfriend but he just seemed like your typical high school quarterback. But he did act like he loved her. Still, his background makes him a little untrustworthy. Same thing with Cole. Except Cole was always there when Nikki needed him and he acted like he really loved her too. And don't forget Nikki ran to Cole so he could take away her pain, so she kind of asked for Cole to feed off her. So she really can't blame him for that. I guess I'm hoping that Nikki will go for Cole. Although if Will wasn't such a bum I'd say she should ditch both Jack and Cole and run off with Will.
Third, the characters were very well-written. Really lovable. The only thing I had a problem with was Nikki speech. She seemed to use 3 words over and over and over. In the same coversation. (yes, i've caught myself doing that too. oops)
Everneath (still like saying that) was a really good book and should not be missed by anybody who loves Greek myth and paranormal!

Cannot wait for Everbound:

Mistwood by Leah Cypess--Review

Movie Rating: PG-13 for some language and scary images
Book Rating: @@@@@
Swearing: 1 use of b***h, h**l, and(maybe)d**n
Inappropriate Scenes: None!!!
# of Pages: 304 (paperback)
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: Green Willow Books
LLFTB: People are not always what they seem.

Back Blurb:

The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwood.

But when she is needed she always comes.

Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.

Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty—because without it, she may be his greatest threat.

Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them.

Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

My Review:

This was my first book I have ever read that was about shape-shifters, so I was leery about it, but I told myself that if the book was as good as its cover I would love it. I did. This book was EPIC!!! Leah Cypess is a fantastic writer. You hated the characters you were supposed too and love the characters you were supposed. And to make it even better there wasn't any 'scenes'. And, trust me, when you read this book there is one twist that will knock your socks off! This book was galactic! (which mean it was really really good.) If you like paranormal and shape-shifting definitely check this book out! I cannot wait to read Nightshade. :D

Halflings Review by Heather Burch

Wow! Can't believe it's time for another review! Anyway, sorry it's going up so late my wonderful parents took the fam. to watch the Hunger Games (how cool is that! thnx mom & dad!) and we didn't get home till about 5 o'clock. (i know what you're thinking--"Yeah, Yeah. Excuses! Just get on with the review already!" Well, here it is......)



 HALFLINGS by HEATHER BURCH

Movie Rating: PG-13 for scenes of peril and scary imagesBook Rating: @@@@@ Genre: ParanormalSwearing: NoneInappropriate Scenes: NoneNumber of Pages: 286 (hardcover)Publisher: Zondervan

Back Blurb:

        After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves Halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret-and the wings that come with it.
        A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys' powers, as well as her role in a scientist's dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the earthly world.

What if following your heart meant losing your soul?

My Review:

        Now, I'm not big into paranormal so I only picked this book up for 2 reasons: (1) I fell in <3 with cover. It's amazing. and (2) the publisher. Zondervan is a Christian publisher and all of their books are clean. So I checked Halflings out of my library. It was Awesome! I really liked Nikki. She had some issues like the faint-every-time-I-see-you issue but she was still cool. And well let's face it. Mace and Nikki are a perfect match. (although I personally <3 the dark and mysterious Raven *drool*) Oh, and Damon Vessler seriously creeped me out. I did not like him at all! Perfect book for all you clean paranormal lovers! :D I seriously cannot wait to read Guardian!